Nestled on the west side of Loveland not far from Sunrise Ranch is another Loveland venue, which caters mostly to weddings.

Shawn Ellis said that the trees will be green and flowers will bloom to create a summer oasis rather than the winter wonderland it still was on Thursday.

This year is the 50th anniversary of Ellis Ranch, which was purchased by Ellis' grandfather Larry in 1963.

The ranch boasts two separate wedding venues with bench seating and fanciful archways for the bride and groom.

The rustic setting and beautiful scenery bring out about 100 couples a year to marry in the shadows of the Rocky Mountains, Shawn said. Reception halls and suites for the men and ladies in the wedding party mean that couples can have their ceremony and reception in one location.

An annual bridal show held at the ranch will introduce brides to vendors and the potential of the venue on May 15, Shawn said.

The ranch amenities are flexible and accommodate any budget. Couples are able to bring in their own vendors instead of buying one all-inclusive package.

If You Go

What: Bridal Show.

When: 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, May 15.

Where: Ellis Ranch, 2333 Ellis Ranch Lane, Loveland.

Info: Call 593-9570 to RSVP or email ellisrancheventcenter@gmail.com. This is a chance for couples and the community to visit the facility, meet over 50 vendors and enjoy a carriage ride, drinks and catering.

The ranch is also host to private parties and various fundraisers. The Ellises donate the use of the ranch to families fundraising for significant others, like in the case of Jaycie Love.

Friends raised money for 7-year-old Jaycie's leukemia treatments in February on the ranch with a benefit chili cook-off and auction.

The ranch is also host to nonprofit organizations like Hearts and Horses and Alternatives to Violence, which have annual fundraising events.

The outdoor wedding venue at Ellis Ranch in Loveland wasn't quite ready for use on Thursday.
(Jessica Benes)

Shawn said that the venue brings a lot of people to the Loveland area to shop and stay because 70 percent of the brides who are married at the ranch are from the Denver area or outside Colorado.

"When my grandpa bought it, it was a log cabin and cherry trees because you know, Loveland used to be a big cherry tree area," Shawn said. He said that his grandfather was a fan of the NBC television show "Bonanza" and wanted his ranch to look like the show.

In the 1970s and 1980s it was a horse ranch that raised race and show horses. Then in the 1990s, the ranch's attractions were aimed at tourists.

In 2000, the family sold 260 of the 300 acres they owned so Ellis' grandparents could retire. The family wanted to concentrate on becoming a great wedding and entertainment venue for parties and fundraisers.

The Ellises have passed it down to their sons and Shawn hopes to pass the ranch on to the baby son he is expecting with his wife, Kim. The couple also has a daughter, Allie.